Hatch cover structure



y 2, 1966 H. w. PETTIT ETAL 3,260,224

HATCH COVER STRUCTURE Filed Oct. '7, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. HARRY W. PETTIT JOHN L. CARNEY,JR.

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ATTORNEY y 12, 1966 H. w. PETTIT ETAL HATCH COVER STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 7, 1964 H. W- P ETTIT ETAL HATCH COVER STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 7, 1964 July 12, 1966 H. w. PETTIT ETAL 3,260,224

HATCH COVER STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 7, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. IO.

United States Patent 3,260,224 HATCH COVER STRUCTURE Harry W. Pettit, Bridgeton, and John L. Carney, Jr., St. Louis, Mo., assignors to ACE Industries, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Oct. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 402,253 4 Claims. (Cl. 105377) This invention relates to hatch covers for openings in the roofs of railway cars and the like, and particularly to such hatch covers movable toward and away from an elongate hatch opening in a direction generally transversely of the longitudinal axis of the opening.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hatch cover structure for railway cars and the like in which a hatch opening may be easily uncovered and closed in a minimum of time with a minimum of force being applied to the hatch cover.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of a hatch cover structure which may be easily raised from a closed position and then moved in a direction generally transversely of the longitudinal axis of the car while being supported along guideW-ays with a minimum of friction.

Briefly, this invention comprises an elongate hatch cover positioned over an elongated hatch opening in the roof of a railway car and supported from at least a pair of downwardly and outwardly extending arms. The arms are mounted on guides secured to the car for slidably moving the cover between open and closed positions relative to the elongated hatch opening. Additionally, resilient means are mounted on the arms to bias continuously the hatch cover relative to the arms so that upon release of the hatch cover from sealed position over the hatch opening, the cover will snap upwardly and clear the hatch frame when it is moved to open position. Thus, the hatch cover does not require any lifting force when it is moved between open and closed positions, and is only slightly tilted when in open position. To secure the hatch cover, the hatch cover is moved downwardly against the bias of the resilient means which cocks the hatch cover for pivotal movement when it is again released. Other objects of this invention may be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a railway car in accordance with this invention, a plurality of elongated hatch covers being mounted over a plurality of elongated hatch openings spaced longitudinally along the roof of a hopper car;

FIGURE 2 is a partial top plan of the railway car of FIGURE 1, illustrating two hatch covers, one hatch cover being in the closed position and the other hatch cover being in an open position to permit access to the hatch opening;

FIGURE 3 is a partial side elevation of the hatch covers of FIGURE 2 illustrating the mounting of the hatch covers along the roof of the railway car;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged section taken generally along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2, the broken line indication of the hatch cover showing the fully opened position of the hatch cover;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of releasable means to .hold the hatch cover in closed position over the hatch opening;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged section taken generally along line 66 of FIGURE 4 and showing the support mounting the hatch cover for sliding movement;

3,266,224 Patented July 12, 1966 FIGURE 7 is an enlarged section of the hatch cover of FIGURE 6 showing the hatch cover biased upwardly immediately after being released from closed position to clear the hatch fitting when pushed to open position;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragment of adjustable means securing the inner end of the support rod for the hatch cover;

FIGURE 9 is a section taken generally along line 99 of FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragment of FIGURE 4 showing adjustable means securing the outer end of the support rod for the hatch cover.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, a hopper car generally designated C has a tubular tank-shaped body supported adjacent each end on trucks T. The body comprises a cylindrical tank shell L supported on side sills S. Shell L acts as a longitudinal beam and eliminates the necessity of a center sill thereby to provide a smooth, clean bore interior for facilitating the unloading and cleaning of hopper car C. It is to be understood that suitable bottom discharge openings not shown) are provided for unloading the contents of the car.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 2-4, the roof of the hopper car is indicated at 10. Bulkheads or transverse partitions 12 separate the car into separate compartments and each compartment has a separate elongate hatch opening 14 arranged centrally of the width of the car. Surrounding hatch openings 14 and mounted on roof 10 is a horizontal platform 16 forming a running board for the car. Platform 16 has a rectangular opening 18 extending longitudinally along the roof of the car to permit access to hatch openings 14. Supporting platform 16 are struts 20 welded at their lower ends to roof 10.

Surrounding each hatch opening 14 along its perimeter is a hatch frame 22 welded to the adjacent edge 24 of roof 10 which defines hatch opening 14. Each hatch frame 22 extends upwardly from its respective opening 14 and has an outturned curve upper flange 26 forming a substantially horizontal seat for a hatch cover generally designated 28.

Each hatch cover 28 comprises a generally flat body plate 30 having an integral downturned circumferential flange 32. A resilient gasket 34 is secured to the underside of plate 30 and is adapted to seat in sealing relation on flange 26 when the hatch cover is closed. Mounted at intervals along the length of each hatch cover 28 are pairs of spaced angles 36 which are secured, such as by welding, to the upper surface of hatch cover 30. An arm generally designated 38 is pivotally mounted about pin 40 between each pair of angles 36. Angles 36 extend transversely across the upper surface of hatch cover 28. Cover 28 is mounted for limited pivotal movement relative to arms 38 about pivots 40. I

Each arm 38 includes an upper horizontal web 41 and an integral vertical web 42 having a sleeve 43 on its lower end as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. A vertical projec tion 44 on each side of web 41 receives pin 40. Extending through horizontal web 41 on each side of vertical web 42 and the subjacent angle 36 is a bolt 45. A nut 46 is locked on the lower end of each bolt 45. A compression spring 48 extends about each bolt 45 between web 4 1 and the subjacent angle =36 and biases cover 28 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES 4 and 7. Thus, when hatch cover 28 is released from seated position on hatch frame 22, springs 48 bias cover 28 about pins 40 to the position shown in FIGURE 7 with nuts 46 engaging angles 36 to stop the pivoting of cover 28. In this position cover 30 will clear hatch frame 22 when pushed to an open position as shown in broken lines 3 in FIGURE 4. A handle 54 in the form of a bent rod is secured to the upper surface of hover 28 and may be easily gripped to push or pull the cover.

To secure hatch cover 28 in closed position, handwheels 56 are spaced along the length of each cover 28 adjacent each pair of angles 36. Each handwheel 56 has a hub 58 internally threaded and receiving an externally threaded swing bolt 60 as shown in FIGURE 5. The lower end of bolt 60 is bifurcated to form yoke arms 62. Bracket 64 secured to the car fits between arms 62 and a bolt 66 extending through suitable openings mounts swing bolt 60 for pivotal swinging movement toward and away from hatch cover .28. Bolt 60 lits between spaced angles 36 and handwheel 56 may be drawn tight ly against the upper surface of the associated angles 36 for securing cover 28.

Mounted on struts 20 adjacent each arm are two generally Z-shaped guides generally designated 67 as shown in FIGURE 6. Lower flanges 68 are secured, such as by welding, to the upper end of struts 20 and upper flanges 70 extend inwardly toward each other to form a slot therebetween in which web 42 is mounted. Mounted beneath flanges 70 is a rod 74 supported at its inner end in bracket 76 and on its outer end in bracket 78. Bracket 78 is supported on support arms 80 secured to outer strut 20. Sleeve 43 has a bushing 79 fitting about rod 74 and is easily moved along the rod when cover 28 is pushed or pulled.

The inner end of rod 74 may be adjusted both horizontally and vertically to permit cover 28 to seat properly in closed position. Bracket 76 has a slot 82 receiving the inner end of rod 74 and providing clearance so that the rod may move relative to bracket 76 as indicated in FIGURES 8 and 9. A pin 84 abuts bracket 76 and is secured to rod 74. An adapter plate 86 supports the end of rod 74 and is removably secured. Allen head bolts 88 extend through openings in washers 90, adapter plate 86, bracket 76, and are secured by nuts 92. The openings in bracket 76 are enlarged openings so that bolts 88 may move relative to the bracket.

In order that each pair of rods 74 supporting a hatch cover 28 may be arranged in parallel relation so that sleeves 43 may easily slide along the rods, the outer end of each rod 74 is adjustable both vertically and horizontally. Nuts 94 are threaded on the outer end of rod 74 adjacent each side of bracket 78 as shown in FIGURE 10. An enlarged opening 96 in bracket 78 receives rod 74. Metal washers 98 and rubber washers 100 are positioned adjacent bracket 78 so that rod 74 may be easily adjusted.

The operation is as follows:

Beginning with hatch cover 28 in closed position, handwheels 56 are loosened and swing along with swing bolts 60 away from the hatch cover as indicated in broken lines in FIGURE 4. When handwheels 56 are swung away from batch cover 28, springs 48 immediately pivot cover 28 about pivots 40 in a counterclockwise direction, viewing FIGURE 7, so that the edge of cover 28 remote from pivots 40 is raised a sutficient height so that flange 32 will clear hatch frame 22 when the hatch cover is moved to open position. Handle 54 may be gripped to push hatch cover 28 to open position with sleeves 43 on arms 38 moving along fixed rods 74 in a cantilevered relation until the hatch opening is fully exposed and sleeves 43 abut nuts 94. To return hatch cover 30 to closed position, the cover is pulled transversely of the car by handle 54 until sleeves 43 abut bolts 88. Then, a downward pressure on handle 54 against the bias of springs 44 seats gasket 34 on hatch frame 22 at which position handwheels '6 and swing bolts 68 are moved between angles 36. Handwheels 56 are drawn tight against angles 36 to secure the hatch cover.

While hatch cover 28 is illustrated on a railway hopper car, it may be employed on any desired type of freight car having a roof hatch opening for loading the car. Also, it is to be understood that hatch covers may be employed in a sideaby-side relation, such as might be desirable if a partition extends longitudinally of a railway hopper car.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

I. A hopper structure comprising a hopper roof having an elongate hatch opening therein, a hatch frame extending around said opening and projecting upwardly from the roof, an elongate hatch cover over the hatch opening adapted to seat on the hatch frame in a closed position and to be removed from the hatch opening in an open position to permit access to the hatch opening, a pair of spaced arms supporting the hatch cover, means mounted on the roof supporting the arms and the hatch cover thereon for sliding movement in a direction transversely of the longitudinal :axis of the hatch cover to an open position of the cover laterally of the hatch frame, pivotal means mounting the hatch cover on the arms for limited pivotal movement relative to the arms about a generally horizontal axis, resilient means connected between the arms and cover biasing the hatch cover relative to the arms about said pivotal means to an upward pivoted position away from the closed position of the hatch cover, and releasable holddown means to secure the hatch cover in closed position on the hatch frame and to release the hatch cover from the hatch frame for sliding movement with said arms transversely of the longitudinal axis of the elongate hatch opening, said resilient means immediately biasing the hatch cover to an upward pivoted position upon release of the holddown means so that the hatch cover may be moved laterally to open position and clear the hatch frame without any additional upward movement.

2. A hopper structure as set forth in claim I wherein said means mounted on the roof comprises a pair of spaced generally parallel rods extending generally transversely of the longitudinal axis of the elongate hatch opening, and each of said arms has a sleeve on its lower end mounted for sliding movement about an associated rod whereby the hatch cover when moved to an open position slides in a cantilevered fashion over the rods on said arms.

. 3. A hopper structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein means mount the inner ends of said rods for horizontal and vertical adjustments relative to the hopper roof and additional means mount the outer ends of the rods for vertical and horizontal adjustments relative to the hopper roof.

4. A railway hopper car having a roof and an elongate hatch opening therein, an elongated hatch cover over the hatch opening being movable relative to the car between open and closed positions in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the opening, a pair of spaced generally parallel arms mounted along one side of the elongate hatch cover and extending outwardly and downwardly from said one side, means mounting the cover on said arms for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis relative to said arms, the hatch cover being cantilevered by said arms when moving between open and closed positions, resilient means operatively connected between the arms and cover to bias the cover toward an open position about said pivotal mounting means, a pair of spaced generally parallel rods mounted on the roof adjacent the hatch opening and extending generally transversely of the longitudinal axis of the elongate hatch opening, each of said arms having a sleeve on. its lower end mounted for sliding movement about an associated rod to support the arms in a cantilevered fashion when the hatch cover moves to open position, and releasable holddown means to secure the hatch cover in closed position on the hatch frame and to release the hatch cover from the hatch frame for sliding movement with the arms transversely of the longitudinal axis of the elongate hatch opening, said resilient means comprising a compression spring urging said hatch cover about said pivotal mounting means relative to the arms to move the edge of said hatch cover remote from said pivotal mounting means in an upward direction to permit the hatch cover to move to its open position without the application of any 1ifting force.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Gleason 105-377 X Hills 105-377 X Westbrook 308-3 Terry 308-3 Grundstein 308-3 Schlitters 308-3 Floehr 105-377 X Carney et a1 105-377 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner. DRAYTON E. HOFFMAN, Examiner. 

1. A HOPPER STRUCTURE COMPRISING A HOPPER ROOF HAVING AN ELONGATED HATCH OPENING THEREIN, A HATCH FRAME EXTENDING AROUND SAID OPENING THEREIN, A HATCH FRAME EXFROM THE ROOF, AN ELONGATE HATCH COVER OVER THE HATCH OPENING ADAPTED TO SEAT ON THE HATCH FRAME IN A CLOSED POSITION AND TO BE REMOVED FROM THE HATCH OPENING IN AN OPEN POSITION TO PERMIT ACCESS TO THE HATCH OPENING, A PAIR OF SPACED ARMS SUPPORTING THE HATCH COVER, MEANS MOUNTED ON THE ROOF SUPPORTING THE ARMS AND THE HATCH COVER THEREON FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSELY OF THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE HATCH COVER TO AN OPEN POSITION OF THE COVER LATERALLY OF THE HATCH FRAME PIVOTAL MEANS MOUNTING THE HATCH COVER ON THE ARMS FOR LIMITED PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO THE ARMS ABOUT A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS, RESILIENT MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN THE ARMS AND COVER BIASING THE HATCH COVER RELATIVE TO THE ARMS ABOUT SAID PIVOTAL MEANS TO AN UPWARD PIVOTED POSITION AWAY FROM THE CLOSED POSITION TO THE HATCH COVER, AND RELEASABLE HOLDDOWN MEANS TO SECURE THE HATCH COVER IN CLOSED POSITION TO THE HATCH FRAME ON TO RELEASE THE HATCH COVER FROM THE HATCH FRAME FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT WITH SAID ARMS TRANSVERSELY OF THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE ELONGATE HATCH OPENING, SAID RESILIENT MEANS IMMEDIATELY BIASING THE HATCH COVER TO AN UPWARD PIVOTED POSITION UPON RELEASE OF THE HOLDDOWN MEANS SO THAT THE HATCH COVER MAY BE MOVED LATERALLY TO OPEN POSITION AND CLEAR THE HATCH FRAME WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL UPWARD MOVEMENT. 